ripping through a suburban neighborhood in the middle of the night. screams in the darkness, dozens of homes destroyed. and when the sun rose, a devastating portrait. tonight, what caused it? inside the e-mails. the stunning fall of america's spy master. the cia confirmation, behind him his wife and the other woman. martha raddatz standing by with the newest fallout from the investigation. high price. american families losing their homes because of a missed utility bill? how far is too far for bill collectors? >> you're taking homes from people for small unpaid water bills. >> a "world news" investigation. and saluting our heroes tonight. the little boy in his own words, for his father in afghanistan. >> i'm so proud of him. he is my hero right next to jesus. >> moments later, his hero arrives.

and good evening. we do begin here with that terrifying and deadly explosion that shattered a suburban indianapolis neighborhood in the middle of the night. the blast could be felt for miles. firefighters rushing to the scene. you can see one of the homes here on fire and then soon, several of them up in flames. witnesses say you could hear the screams in the night, families huddled outside, hugging their pets. and then today, the image of a charred neighborhood. in a moment here, a tour of the scene, but first, abc's john schriffen with the newest clues. authorities speaking just moments ago. >> reporter: this gaping hole is all that's left. charred foundations, burnt-out roofs, surrounded by pieces of homes scattered everywhere. an explosion so intense at least two people are now dead and at least eight others injured. >> garage doors blown in, windows blown in, houses completely leveled, nothing

left. >> reporter: late last night, this suburban community outside of indianapolis was rocked from their beds when a blast obliterated two homes and ignited several others. nearly 200 people were forced to quickly flee into the streets, many wearing pajamas, clutching their pets. a scene so desperate, neighbors rushed in to help. >> as soon as i got to the house and i heard those people screaming, the only thing i could think of was, these people have to get out or they're not going to make it. i just ran in, without even thinking, me and andrew here and just pulled them out. as fast as we could. >> reporter: investigators are combing through the rubble, looking for clues. >> so far, the survey has indicated there are no gas leaks in the area. however, we've got a lot more investigating to do. >> that news conference just moments ago. john with us here on the desk. and so many people watching this are going to wonder, was there any gas, did anyone smell anything before all of this? >> reporter: that's what's so puzzling. in the days before the blast, no reports of any smells of gas in the area. now, to give you an idea just

how powerful this explosion was, look at this aerial image. only a few blocks radius, but people say they could hear and feel it close to three miles away. >> three smiles. john, thanks for leading us off tonight. the team at our station, wrtv, on the screen all day. on the scene all day. drew smith among the first reporters to get inside that neighborhood and he reported in just a short time ago here. >> reporter: david, there's just massive destruction here inside this richmond hills subdivision on the southeast side of indianapolis. you can see there are bulldozers out here. people are working, trying to get everything cleaned up. what used to be five homes less than 24 hours ago are nothing more than rubble. at least 80 homes severely affected by the blast that went off shortly after 11:00 eastern time last night. windows blown out. and you can see the cleanup here is going to take quite some time. authorities are working with federal authorities here in indianapolis to try to figure out exactly what happened and what caused the massive devastation. david? >> our thanks tonight to drew smith and wrtv, the picture from

indianapolis tonight. but we do move on now and to fast-moving developments this evening after the stunning resignation of general david petraeus. and this image we showed you at the top of the broadcast. petraeus' cia confirmation hearing. his wife holly, to the left, and just a few seats away to the right, the other woman at the center of all of this, her name paula broadwell, his biography. abc's senior foreign affairs correspondent, martha raddatz, with more on a third woman who alerted authorities, the red flag that set all of this into motion. >> reporter: dave petraeus' secret affair may never have been discovered if not for the threatening e-mails his lover sent to jill kelly, wife of a tampa surgeon, a long supporter of the military. officials say she was not romantically involved with petraeus, but was a family friend of petraeus and his wife. officials say the anonymous e-mails to kelly were so disturbing and obsessive, she called the authorities. they traced them to paula broadwell's computer.

where eventually evidence of an affair between the cia director and broadwell was discovered. petraeus is claiming the affair with broadwell did not begin until after he retired from the military in august 2011. it was a week later he became cia director. friends say the affair ended four months ago, about the time jill kelly received the e-mails. friends say it was petraeus who ended the relationship. broadwell had extraordinary access to petraeus, but when she was chosen as his biographer, she had never even written a book. >> she struck me as a very ambitious young woman and i think, you know, she appealed to general petraeus because of that combination of sort of intellectual prowess and the fact that she's very physically capable. >> reporter: those around them found her embarrassing and far too gushy about petraeus, evident in her interview on jon

stewart. >> yes, he's a very high energy person and i think he does gain energy from feeling like he's consequential in making a difference. >> reporter: despite that, friends of petraeus told me that todayed they were certain dave and holly petraeus would stay together, though, david, there are still many questions. >> martha raddatz, thank you. and now to the timeline. when this fbi investigation began, and new questions tonight about why the white house and congress did not hear of it until much later. here's abc's senior justice correspondent pierre thomas tonight. >> reporter: sources tell abc news jill kelly considered those harassing e-mails a threat not only to herself, but petraeus. after the fbi was contacted, and an investigation uncovered a sordid affair between petraeus and paula broadwell, there were early concerns that the cia director's secure government e-mails could have been hacked. but the probe never turned up evidence of national security being compromised. what it did find, as one source put it, was lots of human drama.

key members of congress want to know why didn't they weren't told. >> we received no advance notice. it was like a lightning bolt. >> reporter: top intelligence officials were not informed until election day. the president was told the day after. >> the president should have been told about it at the earliest date. >> reporter: but a former fbi agent said the bureau followed protocol. >> the initial complaint was harassment. it possibly could have gone to e-mail hacking. but there was no substantive information that this had anything to do with national security. >> reporter: administration officials said the timing of the disclosure had nothing to do with politics, but congress is vowing to investigate, david. >> pierre thomas, thank you. and the other major headline from washington this evening, the so-called fiscal cliff, now quickly approaching. and on this sunday, new signals republicans are willing to work with the president, to a point. here's abc's david kerley now. >> reporter: across the dial today, the parties sounded like

they could make a deal. >> i think there's aasis for the deal. >> i absolutely believe there is. >> reporter: it's the same tone we heard from the major players. >> i'm open to compromise. >> it's just time to get the job done. >> reporter: speaker boehner even told his republican members they would have to avoid nasty fights, and according to "the new york times," they seemed to listen. but those words don't change a basic disagreement that could push the country off the fiscal cliff, the first of january. that's when a number of tax cuts expire, dubbed taxmageddon, meaning the average family will pay an extra $3,700 a year. and severe cuts to defense and government spending will be trigg triggered. the sticking point on avoiding that cliff? taxes. the president campaigned on and won on letting tax cuts for the rich expire. today, a leading republican said no. >> no republican will vote for higher tax rates. >> reporter: if that sounds a lot like the argument we've already heard, you're right. and democrats appear emboldened that rates for the rich rise. >> if the republicans will not agree with that, we will reach a point at the end of this year

where all the tax cuts expire and we'll start over next year. >> reporter: the two sides have four more days to lay out their markers. on friday, congressional leaders come here to the white house to start negotiations in earnest. david? >> david kerley at the white house tonight, thank you. and with so much swirling in washington, the election might already seem like a lifetime ago to you. but tonight, a new message from mitt romney, as campaign sources offer a raw and telling portrait of the most painful week of romney's political career. by week's end, mitt romney and his wife ann driving themselves to campaign headquarters in boston. gone were the secret detail and the motorcade that had trailed them in the final months of the campaign. instead of the long lines of supporters, there was now a line of dozens of staffers outside of romney's office door. some waiting to shake his hand, others looking for a quiet moment with the governor. after a loss that stunned a confident campaign. the former presidential candidate eating pizza out of the box in his office. mrs. romney in jeans and a sweater. just hours after the loss last week, romney calling a staff

meeting. emotions raw, romney and his wife arriving to deafening applause and chants of "mitt, mit mite," as they walked into the office. a source there saying romney was clearly moved, mrs. romney crying as they stood before the team. sources telling me campaign manager matt rhoades telling the governor and his wife, "we would rather lose with you than win with anyone else." in the days after defeat, a source close to mrs. romney said she described the moment she walked onto that stage as surreal. saying mrs. romney wondered to herself, "are we really conceding?" it was mrs. romney that remained most optimistic as returns starting pouring in, playing with her grandchildren election night. in the hours after the concession speech, mitt romney offering praise for his top advisers and his body man, garrett jackson. jackson often capturing and tweeting images of the governor during private moments. among them, a smiling romney backstage watching his wife address millions of americans from the republican national convention. and this weekend, romney sending a note to supporters, "this was more than just a campaign. this was a national movement," he wrote.

he did not specifically reference his loss to the president, writing, "we still believe that better days are ahead." and in talking with my campaign sources over the weekend, even many of those closest to romney don't know what he'll do next. the romneys are expected to travel to their san diego home to spend time with family. many do expect romney's focus to include board work and his work with the morton church. we turn tonight now to the major weather headline, and a huge cold front marching across the center of the nation, already dropping heavy snow in salt lake city and up to 48 inches in the utah mountains. and in kansas tonight, 50 reports of severe weather. these thunderstorms in kansas all part of the season. abc meteorologist ginger zee tracking this since "good morning america" this morning. this is a real clash. >> reporter: it is. such a big part of the country. minneapolis had a record high yesterday of 69, today, in the 20s. so, some 40-degree drop. and that's going to get severe weather, that's what we're dealing with tonight. a sliver of the south has to have that slight risk. that is damaging wind, large hail, outside chance of a tornado. some tornado warnings earlier.

little rock is going to be just east of it but down into far eastern texas. >> be on alert tonight. many celebrating the holiday tomorrow, marking it, what do they expect? >> reporter: in the east, one more day of beauty. we deserve that little break. new york city will make it to 65. 66, d.c. but look at chicago, they were 70 today. tomorrow, 39. >> tale of two countries tonight. ginger zee, thank you so much. and as i mentioned, this is veterans day, of course. tomorrow, the nation will observe the national holiday. at arlington national cemetery today, president obama and the first lady taking part in the time-honored tradition on this day, laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown. tonight here, so many tributes that caught our eye. so, here are two of them. one, from a veteran on a marathon. the other from a little boy, waiting for dad to come home. army veteran mike ehredt has been running a marathon every every day now for the past ten weeks. 2,10 miles. a journey that began in minnesota. >> morning, fourth day. on minnesota 53.

>> reporter: and came to an end today in galveston, texas, passing through nine states. >> there's this lonely feeling coming over me. but it also made me get up and move. >> reporter: at every mile, mike stops, not to take a break or to catch his breath, but to plant a small american flag, each inscribed with the name, age and rank of a fallen soldier lost in afghanistan. and then, a salute from mike. his own journey to remember. and on this veterans day, this little boy in north carolina. preparing to read his own handwritten words for his father. cabe ellis remembering his dad james, a father of four and a first class petty officer, serving in afghanistan. his fifth deployment. listen to how his son describes him. >> i'm so proud of him. he is my hero right next to jesus. >> reporter: then, moments later, the principal says, "look." that little boy's hero, walking towards him. his father james, a former football star in their hometown, who said later he would not

forget this hero's welcome from the town, nor his son. >> i mean, it's the greatest honor of my life to serve my country. >> the team at wlls, our abc station there saying that that little guy held onto his dad for a good 25 seconds before letting go. there is still much more ahead on "world news" on a sunday night. one man's fight to save his home. he could lose it, all over an unpaid utility bill? and tonight, we're learning he's not alone. "world news," getting answers break.the break. [ male announcer ] if you suffer from heartburn 2 or more days a week, why use temporary treatments when you can prevent the acid that's causing it with prevacid24hr. with one pill prevacid24hr works at the source to prevent the acid that causes frequent heartburn all day and all night. and with new prevacid24hr perks, you can earn rewards from dinner deals to music downloads for purchasing prevacid24hr. prevent acid all day and all night for 24 hours with prevacid24hr.

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tonight, an out of work actor in baltimore is dealing with some real life drama that could leave him homeless. it all started with an unpaid water bill. and it turns out, this is happening all over the country. abc's mark greenblatt investigates. >> reporter: on hbo's "the wire," richard burton played tough-as-nails gangster "shamrock" mcginty. >> slim said they got the eye on marlo. >> reporter: but burton lost his job when "the wire" went off the air. and today, the accomplished actor and musician is in the middle of a real life drama, at risk of losing his home to foreclosure, all over a disputed $1,000 water bill. >> that smaller bill is there, but after you add the interest, after you add the 18% and the lawyer fees, it's unjust. it's wrong. >> reporter: burton refused to pay. but the city of baltimore turned to a controversial tactic to collect. selling burton's debt to a private company, which then put a lien on his home. >> then you have no choice to pay or lose your home.

that can't be right. >> reporter: now, the company, lien logic, is asking for additional interest and high legal fees, too. ballooning burton's tab to limb $5,000. >> could actually lose their home for the failure to pay a $200 or $300 water or sewer bill. >> reporter: the national consumer law center says thousands of homeowners all over the u.s. are threatened with foreclosure every year because of unpaid utility bills and taxes. in rhode island, a $474 sewer bill cost one woman her home. the company that took possession later sold it for $85,000. back in baltimore, vicky valentine lost her house over a partially paid water bill. you'd been in this home for 33 years? >> yes. >> reporter: and now all of a sudden, you're out on the street. >> yes, and that's not a fun place to be. >> reporter: lien logic makes $100 million a year, profiting from its lien business. we tracked down one of the

company's co-founders after he refused to sit down with us. you're taking homes from people for small unpaid water bills. >> like i said, i decline the interview. >> reporter: and in the end -- >> thanks for your time. appreciate you coming by. >> reporter: you have nothing to say to the people that lose their homes to you? many cities like houston will just shut your water off if you don't pay, but they'd never give anyone the right to take your home. but david, it is different everywhere. if you have questions, you need to call your utility. >> losing your home over a water or sewer bill seems unreal. mark, thanks for asking the tough questions tonight. coming up, a sneak peek at what will be the different themes you'll see at the macy's thanksgiving day parade this year. can restore testosterone levels back to normal in most men. axiron is not for use in women or anyone younger than 18. axiron can transfer to others through direct contact. women, especially those who are or who may become pregnant, and children should avoid contact where axiron is applied as unexpected signs of puberty in children or changes

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now to our "instant index" on a sunday night. people and pictures that got our attention this weekend. beginning with our image tonight. an unbelievable reminder that thanksgiving is just around the corner now. tonight, a sneak peek long before the parade. papa smurf, hello kitty and the elf on the shelf balloons flying high over new jersey. three of the new balloons making their debut in next week's parade. and our person tonight, judy garland and the blue and white dress she won in "the wizard of oz." the dress sold for $480,000. the highest selling item at the auction. tonight, our number here, 007. and a whopping first weekend, $88 million in ticket sales. ♪ the new james bond movie, "skyfall," set a franchise record this weekend. we want to hear from you. tell us what caught your eye. abcnews.com/worldnews or tweet me @davidmuir.

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and finally tonight here, playing an american icon, abe lincoln. daunting, even for daniel day lewis, but he's taken on these kinds of roles before. so, what does he do between taktake s? how does he communicate with his fellow actors? here's abc's david wright. >> slavery, sir? it's done. >> reporter: he's a british actor embodying an american icon. >> i like our chances now. >> reporter: according to the experts, daniel day lewis nailed it. >> blood's been spilled to afford us this moment. now, now, now. >> i've seen a lot of performances and i've never seen anyone delve as deeply into lincoln's soul. >> reporter: daniel day lewis famously immerses himself in his roles.

while filming, "my levft foot," in which he plays a character with cerebral palsy, he remaineded in a wheelchair between takes. while playing hawkeye in "last of the mohicans," he reportedly lived in the wilderness, killing and skinning his own dinner. >> stay alive, no matter what occurs. >> reporter: as the actor recently told "time" magazine, he got just as deeply into the 16th president. >> i had a feeling for him in a way i've never been able to feel for a man that i never met. >> reporter: on set, steven spielberg addressed him as mr. president. day lewis did send text messages to other cast members, but signed them "a" for abe lincoln. >> i try not to dismember a character, a life, into its component parts and work on one area and then another. >> reporter: spielberg purposely waited until after the election to release this movie. recognizing that lincoln is still politically relevant. ♪ lincoln ♪ lincoln ♪ lincoln

>> reporter: from lincoln ck on "snl" to this "daily show" punch line election night. >> good news for mitt romney. he's won tonight, we can announce this right now, most of the confederacy. >> reporter: our house is divided, still. >> red and blue is still better than blue and gray. >> shall we stop this bleeding? >> reporter: david wright, abc news, los angeles. >> "lincoln," distributed by our parent company, disney, opens nationwide this weekend. that is the broadcast. "good morning america," first thing in the morning. diane back tomorrow night. and we're going to go back to the moment that struck us all, little cabe welcoming his dad home on this veterans day. good night.

>> ama: next, remembering america's service men and women this veterans day. >> a day of service. how nancy pelosi says she is helping give back to the veterans and the nation. the manhunt for a suspect police say tried to ram an officer. abc-7 news at 6:00 starts now. >> the cutting and the deficits are out of control. >> ama: america on edge. on the fiscal cliff. and tonight, california's lawmakers are sharing their concerns. good evening, thank you for joining us, i'm ama daetz. it's been less than a week since election day and everything is shifting to the fiscal cliff. when lawmakers return to washington it's not clear if the results will erase any gridlock on capitol hill. here's the details. >> the fiscal cliff describes a combination of across the board cuts to social programs and military s